There is a famous quote by Will Smith in Hitch, “Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it’s the moments that take your breath away.”
In an elevator, taking someone’s breath away can go two ways. You either smell so amazing that people can’t stop taking a sniff. Or, you smell so horrible that people are holding their breath, waiting to escape the elevator. The latter is what we aim to avoid.
Welcome to the “Elevator Rule”: People judge you long before you speak and visual impact is only half the equation. Hang in there because we have some tips so you don’t smell like a locker room after double-period P.E. inside an elevator.
In the First Three Seconds, AKA the Visual Scan
The moment the elevator doors slide open, visual evaluation happens in the first three seconds. People aren’t only looking at your attire only. They glance down, so footwear hygiene is the first thing to prioritize.
Besides that, your micro-expressions and posture matter too.
Research from Princeton psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov, it takes just 100 milliseconds to form an impression of a stranger’s facial trustworthiness and competence. By second three, their eyes have scanned your shoes, fit and posture.
Between 3-10 Seconds, AKA the Scent Radius
Visuals get you noticed but the scent cements the verdict. Hence, investing in a good Fragrance Body Spray matters. The way you smell triggers an immediate, visceral reaction in people, including strangers in the elevator.
If you step inside an elevator with cheap cologne, you are forcing the other residents in the elevator to hold their breath until their floor arrives. At the same time, wearing nothing at all also makes you lose an opportunity to stand out.
Hence, for effortless presence, you need to find a neutral yet “good smelling” middle ground. You want a Perfume Body Spray that balances clean freshness with warmth and depth. Usually, citrus, aqua, woody or musk scents are ideal. They linger even after you step out of the elevator, leaving a lasting impression.
Grooming Signals That You Need to Master
Besides personal hygiene, grooming is also for social courtesy. When you are out and about, greeting people you know or strangers you don’t, a well-groomed appearance is part of your “first impression.”
There are three components you need to focus on:
Start with a clean cut. This involves precise shaving and trimmer stubble or beard. Having crisp edges and well-defined jawline is the way to go. Get rid of any accidental overgrowth.
Second thing is prioritizing skin health. Neither do you want dry and flaky skin nor do you want excessive oiliness. So, for squeaky clean and supple skin, prioritize hydration and a simple skincare routine.
Last but not the least, focus on scent layering. This one requires tactical thinking. After all, you don’t want to be Brick from The Middle, spraying every possible perfume and deodorant in possession. For your workday, focus on clean and fresh notes.
Focus On Your Body Language Too!
To be fair, being inside an elevator feels like you are trapped inside the world’s smallest social experiment. You are trapped inside with strangers. While some interact with a timid smile, some prefer to keep to themselves.
One thing is common though: People’s phones become the most fascinating thing in the world.
So, when you are standing inside, the big question is, “Does your body language matter?” Well, yes and no. It boils down to personal preference and also where you are.
For example, if you are in an elevator at your workplace, a confident stature is non-negotiable. Stand comfortably, make brief eye contact and give a polite nod when needed. Relax your shoulders, you aren’t held hostage!
4 Steps and 15 Seconds Is All You Need for an Upgrade
Inside an elevator, you are usually stuck for 15 seconds. That’s all the time you have to leave a good impression (not that it always matters!) The most important takeaway: You don’t need a three-hour morning routine. You need four steps and maybe 15 minutes maximum.
- Step 1: Focus on your edges. Sharp edges around your stubble or beard appear neat.
- Step 2: Next, you need to focus on your skin. Use a clean, non-drying face wash to get rid of the dullness.
- Step 3: Once you are dressed, spritz a versatile fragrance body spray. Focus on the pulse points: wrist, neck and behind the ears.
- Step 4: Lastly, when you are inside the elevator, stall tall and carry yourself like you belong there with the people stepping in and out of the cubicle.
Make Your First Impression Good!
The elevator door will open, people will look up from their phones, assess you for a second and form an opinion. That part isn’t in your hands. What is in your hands is the impression you leave behind the moment you step out of the elevator, into the hallway.
In short, that’s what makes up the elevator rule. Strangers inside the metal box will notice you. Make sure what they notice is worth remembering.
